With historically low unemployment rates, employers may find it difficult to find available workers to support current operations or expansions. The six-county North Central Indiana region has an abundant labor pool of nearly 17,000 potential workers to fulfill available positions. The report also states the regional economic development partners and Workforce Board offer training programs to skill-up workers and meet the needs of employers.

 

Walton, IN – Indiana Office of Community and Rural Development (OCRA) recently awarded the Town of

Walton a $34,020 Community Development Block Grant to conduct a storm water utility study.

 

The Town will use the grant to evaluate existing storm water infrastructure, identify community needs

and provide a cost analysis for improvements to the storm water system. This study will develop a

community-wide plan to address high water issues during heavy rain events that cause streets to close

and homes to flood.

 

On February 12 th , Walton conducted a public hearing for the storm water utility study. Rick Lee the

Town’s utility superintendent stated, “Our goal is to just help alleviate the flooding for the individuals

that get water in their house or basement. That’s our ultimate goal, but in turn not only will getting that

water away will help them, it should help our sewage plant tremendously.”

 

The Town has 14 months to complete the utility study. Officials in Walton expect to hold a public

hearing in March of 2019 to introduce the draft plan to the public and get community input. North

Central Indiana Regional Planning Council provided grant administration services to assist the Town with

the application which was submitted in late February.

 

For additional information please contact Walton Town Hall 574-626-2941.

Kokomo, IN – The North Central Indiana Regional Planning Council (NCIRPC) hosted an Agribusiness Forum today on the Indiana University Kokomo campus. The Forum featured Connie Neininger, Economic Development Director for the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. Ms. Neininger presented information on the economic impact agribusiness has to the six-county region and highlighted the State’s Rural Ag Economic Development Model.

 

The Agribusiness Forum brought together agribusiness leaders, economic development, workforce and education professionals from Cass, Clinton, Fulton, Howard, Miami and Tipton counties.

The region recently completed a five-year Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy and Agribusiness was identified as one of the top strategic focus areas. Steven Ray, NCIRPC Executive Director, stated, “We recognize the value of the ag-sector at the local level. And through the planning process, we identified opportunities to further support our agribusinesses.” Today’s Forum is the critical first to strengthen the

ag-related businesses across the region.

Peru, IN. - Economic development leaders in six counties will be reviewing information provided by public participation last night in Peru as they, with the help of the North Central Indiana Regional Planning Council (NCIRPC), begin the process of putting together a high-quality plan for regional prosperity.

 

Forty-three residents of Cass, Clinton, Fulton, Howard, Miami and Tipton who attended last night’s civic forum collectively identified their strengths, challenges, and opportunities. Cass County Economic Development Director, Christy Householder, stated, “We are very excited with the level of participation from across the region. We identified several initiatives that will be beneficial to our six counties.” A second round of the forum is open for public participation on Monday, Nov. 21, from 5:30-8 p.m. in the Kelley Center at IU Kokomo. Dinner will be served to participants. All residents of these counties are welcome to register online: https://www.pcrd.purdue.edu/blog/set-wants-your-input- rsvp-2016.php by Nov. 18.

 

KOKOMO, Ind. – Industries from the North Central region of Indiana now have the opportunity to re-skill and up-skill their current employees with the help of a $250,000 federal grant. The North Central Indiana Regional Incumbent Worker Program focuses on providing basic skills education, machining skills training, and maintenance skills training for workers of employers operating within the North Central region (Cass, Fulton, Howard, Miami and Tipton counties).

 

Under the grant, training will be provided by Ivy Tech Community College Kokomo Region and the Region 4 Workforce Board.

 

The Region 4 Workforce Board, through the local WorkOne offices, is offering basic jobs skills training and assessments to assist employers with the hiring, training and development of a highly skilled workforce. This on-line training and assessment tool will help employees build the necessary skills to develop a successful career pathway. There is no charge for companies and employees who meet the eligibility requirements.

North Central Indiana communities were awarded $6 million in Community Crossings grant funds to make improvements to the local roads and bridges. The Indiana Department of Transportation announced the awards earlier this week.

 

North Central Indiana Regional Planning Council assisted the towns of Bunker Hill, Greentown, Kewanna, Onward and Russiaville in completing the required Pavement Asset Management Plan and submitted applications for 8 projects totaling over $400,000.

 

The local road and bridge matching grant fund was created earlier this by the Indiana General Assembly. The grant program awarded approximately $147 million in funding this year to 322 cities, towns and counties across the State.

 

Projects that are eligible for funding through Community Crossings include road resurfacing, bridge rehabilitation, road reconstruction, resurfacing, and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance in connection with road projects. Material costs for chip sealing and crack filling operations are also eligible for funds.

A complete list of the cities, towns, and counties receiving matching funds through Community Crossings program is online at http://www.in.gov/indot/3569.htm.